Browns reportedly sign wide receiver Earl Bennett

The Browns may have taken their first real step in adding an option to compensate for their lack of depth at wide receiver. Jake Jones of KFBB in Helena, Montana is reporting that the Browns have signed former Bears wide reciever Earl Bennett.

#Browns sign Earl Bennett, formerly of Chicago. Not a game changer, but solid guy nonetheless.

The 27-year-old Bennett caught 32 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns last season, his sixth with the Bears after being selected in the 3rd round in 2008. The 6-foot wideout was on the field for just under 54% of the team’s snaps last season, but he was primarily used as an underneath option, with 26 of his 32 receptions coming from passes shorter than 10 yards. The Bears cut their third receiver after he refused to take a pay cut on March 18th.

The Browns weren’t going to replace the threat that is Josh Gordon, though a second or third round selection at the position could have provided a player that would likely make an immediate impact and ease the blow. As it stands, the Browns will likely need to continue to puruse trade options or more cap casulaties to add another veteran option. Right now, they have a bunch of capable third and fourth receivers without any proven legit first or second options.

Kirk Lammers grew up on the Marblehead Peninsula and is a graduate of THE Ohio State University. He now lives in Northeast Ohio, and you can find him at the ballpark, at the Q, or far too often on Twitter (@WFNYKirk)."

As long as he (or any other WR) can catch the ball when it’s thrown to him, he will help Johnny Manziel. We all know he can’t replicate Josh Gordon’s production, but catching what’s thrown his way will build confidence in a young QB.

Hopwin

I’d settle for a replacement for Greg Little.

Harv 21

exactly. I don’t pretend to be an expert on what the new guy brings, but anything that pushes Greg Little down the depth chart or even off the roster is all right by me. He may “block like a Brown” but that can’t be sufficient if your position is not offensive lineman.

Kildawg

What “big name” WRs did Seattle have? An injured Percy Harvin is all I can think of. As long as the defense shuts down opponents with OL blocking with a QB that minimizes mistakes with some ground and pound, Browns ought to be just fine.

JHop

They may not be “big name”, but I’d take Sidney Rice and Golden Tate over any non-Gordon WR currently on the Browns roster hands down. You could make an argument for Hawkins, but it’d be a close call nonetheless.

Harv 21

true, they may not need “names” at WR but they will need something other than little smurfy slot types. In addition to their TE, they will need at least one receiver big/strong enough to avoid getting jammed at the line and able to get open. If you only do a ground and pound defenses will put 9 in the box and you’ll get Hoyer or a rookie killed by consistently putting them in third and long. There has to be some offensive balance. They have to pick up another, bigger WR.

MrCleaveland

Just curious. How is a guy in Helena, Montana breaking Browns news?

RGB

You know you want me.

MrCleaveland

Nice dogtag there, TO. I wonder where he took Basic.

Pat Leonard

Meh.

The_Real_Shamrock

As long as the defense shuts down opponents with OL blocking with a QB that minimizes mistakes with some ground and pound

Is that all? Pfft no problem!

The_Real_Shamrock

Ray Ray Farmer gets around!

saggy

I’d like to see Little “sink like a Brown.”

saggy

might as well sign chad johnson, too, while you’re at it. And hire PT Barnum to do PR.

Harv 21

honestly, if there was a CBA-compliant drug that paralyzed just his vocal cords I’d do it. TO as a Marcel Marceau of self-aggrandizement and displeasure, JFF back in his face actually screaming, TO throwing gatorade in frustration at his muteness … that’s entertainment.

Garry_Owen

Um, Super Bowl.

CBI

Think we might be too late, I believe he signed in Canada.

Harv 21

Browns sign Miles Austin. The size they need but this guy has missed so much production because of bad hamstrings the last few years …

Natedawg86

Is Miles Austin less Meh?

RGB

Too soon.

Pat Leonard

When healthy, yes You know… it’s just that he’s never healthy still a decent signing though.

Natedawg86

Why do CLE team’s seasons always have a list of ‘ifs’

Pat Leonard

I’m convinced that the biggest Cleveland sports fan in the history of the world also committed the most heinous/despicable sins imaginable, so that’s why God decreed that there would always be a list of “ifs”.

Yeah, it's unsettling when we're betting on comeback years from a lot of key guys, be it Kipnis, Swisher, Bourn, McAllister, or Moss (from inj), or big improvement years from guys like Chiz, Bauer, Salaz...ok never mind that one.